Now is the time for reparations for slavery

[Thtwudbeme]

I was somewhat opposed to this for several different reasons...and now I understand the depth of the systemic institutional racism in this country.

Screw that FEMA money....that's pocket change compared to what the African Americans in this country deserve...it's time to stop, reflect, and do the right thing.

Stephanie

[kikiek]

1. I thought the same thing myself. Long overdue in my book.

[comsymp]

2. Gotta say, the past week has been a real eye opener for me

It's one thing to acknowledge that racism still exists, but when it is rarely part of your daily life - or interactions - you tend to think of it more in the abstract... or maybe it's more accurate to say that you think of it as not being particularly prevalent - and certainly not as institutionalized as it was when we were kids. Talking strictly about b/w racism, as prejudice against Middle Easterners has taken so much of the spotlight over the past few years. Even when you hear / read about examples of b/w conflicts, you see them as exceptions to the rule.

Seeing those newsclips and photos really jarred me out of - not exactly complacency, but out of a false sense that things weren't so black and white - pun intended. Like you, I have a new understanding (undoubtedly still incomplete, since a white guy is never going to fully get it) of the "depth of the systemic institutional racism in this country." I'm still physically sick about this unwelcome realization.

Yeah, reparations are due, all right.

[gnorville]

3. /agree

I definately agree, in fact I've been in favor of reparations for decendants of slaves for many years. I'm not sure it would solve all the problems of being a poor, minority American but it would go a long way. I'm in favor of a one time payout of $1 mil to every decendant of slaves living in America at the time such a bill would be passed.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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[walldude]

12. Spoken like a man who has never been discriminated against

What you say may be true from your perspective. But for many others slavery has just been shifted from being a slave to an individual to being a slave to the corporations.

[OrlandoGator]

4. Some probably think the $2000 debit cards count as reparations.

n/t

[karlrschneider]

5. And what about the native Americans? How far back should we go with

THEIR reparations? I am pleased to contribute to the current disaster victims (and have, fairly generously considering my own financial situation) but whatever some of my own ancestors did to someone else's ancestors isn't something I would have countenanced nor is it anything I will accept blame for.

[kikiek]

7. It isn't what was done, but what they were promised and never paid.

Native Americans should also have anything that was promised to them made right in my book.

[guruoo]

8. Rotsa Ruck

[Winston702]

9. I'm of Dutch decent

Do I have to pay in more since my ancestors shipped them here?

[delete_bush]

10. not only that, but also to those who

lost fortunes speculating on tulips in the 1600's. Hope you have deep pockets!

[laureloak]

11. At this point we're lucky if we don't go completely bankrupt.